Elma P. "Tita" Saenz

San Diego, Texas - Elma P. "Tita" Saenz passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at her residence.  She was born on March 22, 1925 to her parents Inocente Perez and Aida Benavides.  She leaves a family history that had a great impact on the settlement of early Texas.  Her great-great grandfather, Ysidro Benavides founded the town of Port Lavaca, her great-great uncle, Placido Benavides, built the round top house in Victoria, as it was being settled.  Together, Placido and Ysidro were known as the Paul Reveres of Texas, as they rode from the Alamo during the siege to Goliad to warn of the impending attack known as the Goliad Massacre.  Ysidro had a son Placido, who founded the town of Benavides and he had a son Nicolas, Tita's grandfather who was a Texas Ranger. 
Tita was raised on a ranch in the Concepcion area and graduated from Hebbronville High School.  She moved to San Diego to raise her children.  She was employed by San Diego ISD as a secretary for many years.  After the loss of her son, Cesar Javier Saenz, she pursued her education and received a bachelors degree from Texas A & I Kingsville.  She taught at the elementary level in San Diego until her retirement. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Israel Saenz, her son, Cesar Javier Saenz, her parents, sisters Aida Perez Garcia, Isabel P. Richer, Ilma Montalvo, her brother Francisco Cantu and her great grandchild, Link Ariel Guerra.  She was survived by her son Hector Mario (Cynthia) Saenz, one daughter Mary Lou Saenz, one brother Alejo Perez, five grandchildren, Hilario Javier Saenz, Rene (Selma) Guerra II, Renessa Guerra, Hector Mario Saenz Jr. and Cesar Jose Saenz, nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 
Visitation will begin on Friday, August 24, 2018 at 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home, 1016 E. Gravis, San Diego, with a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. that same evening.  Funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church and burial will follow at Santa Cruz/Saenz Cemetery, 1329 on County Road 228 in Cruz Calle, Texas. Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes, Inc. entrusted with the arrangements. 
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